If LeBron Completes This Title Run, He'll Have Dispatched the Best Small Forwards in the NBA

LeBron James is two wins away from finally burying the myth – well, for the assclowns who still perpetuate such douchebaggery – that he isn’t clutch. Of course, he was two wins from a title last year before the Heat lost three in a row to the Mavericks. (Whether it was nerves or something else, LeBron got extremely passive in close games late against Dallas.)

LeBron has mostly gone head-to-head against some of the best small forwards in the NBA this postseason, and gotten the better of them.*

The only elite small forward LeBron didn’t have to go through was Rudy Gay, and frankly, he might rank 5th of the guys listed above. So not only has LeBron faced the best players at his position in the league, but he’s also averaging 30.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, plus he’s leading the NBA in offensive rebounds this postseason (47), shot attempts, shots made, free throws attempted, free throws made, and minutes.

If LeBron is able to lock up the series – he’ll certainly secure MVP – we’ll be comparing his amazing postseason to what Jordan did in 1992 against Knicks, Cavs and Clyde Drexler’s Blazers or 1998 against the Pacers and Jazz.

* Yes, LeBron has played a lot of power forward in the playoffs because the Heat have gone small due to Chris Bosh’s absence. No, he didn’t defend Melo or Durant on every possession.